Problem is we have not made ships in Australia for such a long time that our ship builders don't have the skills. We should be pumping out our own ships of a higher standard that other countries would buy them. I was once told that when you make capital ships of the same type that each one you make the costs go down until you can get one at almost nothing. Sort of make 5 get one free.

Australia unfortunately does not make anything anymore as we have become a country that digs up its minerals sells them overseas and buys them back once they have been made into something (usual by China). Are neighbors are Asian and we can not compete because of our high wage structure that has priced manufactures out of business.

These Ships are not really suitable given they have a ramp for launching aircraft when we don't have any aircraft that could land or take off from these craft except Helicopters.

Why join the army? we do have a navy!Images of the LHD 01 loading and departure can be found at: http://images.defence.gov.au/12130483H.M.A.S. Canberra is supposedly to replace the Choules which is still undergoing repairs. I am hoping to see the arrival in Melbourne.